HUMAN rights lawyer and anti-racism campaigner Aamer Anwar has been nominated for the position of Rector of Glasgow University.
The former Glasgow University student was put forward by a group of students who say he will be a "strong voice" on their behalf.
Mr Anwar has acted in a number of recent high-profile cases, including representing the family of murdered waiter Surjit Singh Chhokar and the family of Sheku Bayoh, who died in police custody.
As a student, he campaigned against racial discrimination at the city’s Dental School and for the introduction of anonymous marking in all faculties. Since then he has also campaigned for the closure of the Dungavel immigration detention centre and last year received death threats for comments he made following the religiously-motivated murder of Shawlands shopkeeper Asad Shah.
Mr Anwar said: “I’m honoured to be nominated for Rector of Glasgow University. Glasgow’s students deserve a working rector who’ll stand up for their interests – campaigning for more affordable student housing, better access to mental health counselling services and to protect the status of EU students and staff.
“I’m looking forward to speaking to students over the coming weeks about how as a working rector I can help make their voices heard, and ensure that Glasgow remains a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students, regardless of their race, nationality, sexuality or gender.”
Justine McCluskey, one of the students who has nominated Aamer, added:
“We’re delighted that Aamer has agreed to stand for Rector. We know that he’ll be a strong voice for Glasgow’s students.
“With students facing increasing rents, lengthy waiting lists for counselling services and the uncertainty of Brexit, we need a working rector now more than ever.
“This election also gives Glasgow students a welcome opportunity to demonstrate our University and our city’s progressive credentials – and to oppose the tide of racist right-wing populism taking hold across Europe and the United States
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